FALL BREAK BRAWL LEAVES DEACONS AT 0-4

On Oct. 11, Wake Forest Rugby kicked off the Fall Break weekend by making the trek to Blacksburg, VA to take on Virginia Tech in a make-up of their Sep. 20 rainout; despite the improved playing conditions, the Demon Deacons still endured an unforgiving 80 minutes.

Straight away, Virginia Tech capitalized on a mishandled opening kickoff to score their first try only minutes into the match, but the Deacons quickly followed suit by making the most of a Hokie handling error and marching deep into Virginia Tech’s territory, where poor defensive decision-making set senior Johnny McMurray up with a penalty kick that gave Wake Forest their first points.

Wake Forest’s momentum was short-lived, as the Hokies’ sharp footwork and passing skills resulted in 4 unanswered tries across the next 15 minutes.

By slowing down play for a few phases, Wake Forest found the composure they needed to apply some pressure with their kicking game and inch their way to within 5 meters of the try line, where a defensive penalty gave freshman Austin Cunningham the opportunity to quick tap and force his way through to score his first collegiate try.

Unfortunately, Wake Forest’s slow support at the breakdowns allowed Virginia Tech to take possession and score 3 more tries before heading into the half leading 48-8.

Virginia Tech continued to dominate possession and rack up points throughout the second half, though the Deacons picked up the speed of the game during the final 20 minutes, which featured line breaks from McMurray, Cunningham and Johnny Passarelli.

With 12 minutes left in the match, McMurray kicked a penalty to touch that set Wake Forest up with a line out just 5 meters from try line. From the throw, the Deacon pack set up a maul that drew in enough defenders for senior scrumhalf Jack Zimmerman to peel off the back, fend off a few would-be tacklers and touch down for Wake Forest’s second try of the match, which McMurray also converted.

Virginia Tech still had the last word, scoring one more try before the final whistle concluded the 84-15 Hokie win.

Next up, Wake Forest will shift their attention towards preparing for their homecoming match against Maryland, which kicks off at 2pm on Oct 19. The Demon Deacons are looking forward to having stronger sideline support than usual, as the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation’s alumni team will be playing a 12:00pm curtain-raiser that is sure to draw a crowd.

WOLFPACK PREYS ON DEACONS' INCONSISTENCIES

While visitors enjoyed sunny weather throughout Wake Forest’s Family Weekend festivities, Saturday’s unseasonably warm temperature was no treat for Wake Forest Rugby as they hosted their in-state rivals, the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Suiting up in pink socks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, players were amped to put on a good show for the larger than usual crowd, but from the opening whistle, it was clear that the contest would be an outright brutal experience for both sides.

Given their considerable size advantage over the young Deacon squad, NC State tried to strong-arm the game’s tempo throughout the initial 20 minutes, but the first points of the match still went to Wake Forest with a penalty kick from senior Jack Zimmerman.

Maintaining possession and keeping play very tight, NC State made small but consistent gains and scored two penalty kicks before strong pressure from the Demon Deacon defense forced a Wolfpack handling error.

Wake Forest capitalized on the resulting turnover and shifted the game’s momentum with some quick thinking and big runs. Highlights included an interception by senior Bryce Lambert and a strong line break from freshman Austin Cunningham, but impatient play near the try zone allowed NC State to regain possession and kick away from Wake Forest’s pressure each time.

In the 86-degree heat, both sides were happy to hear the halftime whistle and leave the game on hold at 6-3.

NC State scored a third penalty kick at the start of the second half, but quickly found themselves with their backs against the wall as the Demon Deacons were awarded a lineout just 5 meters away from their scoring try line.

Senior scrumhalf Jack Zimmerman was able to clean up the mishandled lineout throw, slip a few tackles and set up a ruck just inches from the try line. With support close behind and the defense on the back foot, freshman Tim Peterson retrieved the ball from the base of the ruck and drove through a defender to score the first try of the game. The missed conversion put the score at 8-9 in favor of the visitors.

The next 20 minutes resembled the beginning of the match, with possession being kept very close and the forwards seeing most of the action. The Demon Deacons were able to force errors and pressure the Wolfpack deep into their own territory, but were consistently stopped short by handling errors and penalties.

With just under 15 minutes on the clock and the heat weighing heavily on both sides, the visitors sliced through a disconnected Deacon defense on two occasions, extending their lead to 8-19.

In the closing minutes of the contest, some well-placed kicks kept Wake Forest within scoring distance, but the home side was never able to convert the opportunities into points.

With 3 games remaining in the ACRL Fall XVs season, the Demon Deacons head to Blacksburg, VA on Friday, Oct. 11th to make up an earlier rainout against Virginia Tech.

An Eye-Opening Experience at Clemson's Homecoming

After last week’s rainout against Virginia Tech (rescheduled for Oct. 11), the Demon Deacons were eager to test their developing skills against a tough Clemson program under the Friday night lights of Death Valley.

The Tigers’ homecoming crowd provided a festive atmosphere for both teams’ second ACRL test and, with a handful of players still on the injured reserve roster, the match also served as a debut for new recruits who welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and gain invaluable experience in an open play setting.

The evening’s starting lineup included 7 underclassmen, but the Demon Deacons eventually played as many as 9 freshman at once, 3 of whom have learned to play rugby within the past 5 weeks.

The young club’s eyes were quickly opened to the ACRL frontrunners’ aggressive pace when an unfortunate bounce off the opening kickoff led to an icebreaking Tiger try that set the trend for the next 20 minutes of play. The tenacious Deacons regained their composure and absorbed more of Clemson’s pressure in the closing minutes of the first half, making some strong defensive stands and pushing the game deep into Tiger territory before going into the break at 34-0.

The Demon Deacons started the second half with new intensity, but a steady Clemson defense finally forced a turnover and put them on the back foot. Periodic substitutions gave the Deacons a steady supply of energy and helped them demonstrate commendable fight throughout a gritty battle that ended 68-0.

The Deacons will have another chance to test their mettle when the NC State Wolfpack visits Poteat Field on Oct. 5; Coach Justin Goonan has made it clear that the team will be focused on tactical decision making and providing support on both sides of the ball as Wake Forest looks forward to another opportunity to demonstrate growth.

Wake Drops Heartbreaker to UVA in Conference Opener

You could not have painted a better picture for a home season opener than what the Demon Deacons and University of Virginia had in Winston-Salem on Saturday. Both teams were eager to kick off the 2013 season and begin a new chapter under new coaching regimes. From the opening kickoff, both sides showed plenty of butterflies to be settled as simple handling errors and mindless penalties kept the flow going back and forth for the first 20 minutes of action. Then, just before halftime, Wake Forest was awarded a penalty 5 meters from their attacking try line and James Watson (Captain) was able to slip through for a try to put the Demon Deacons ahead 5-0. At the break, the competition was still equally matched up, although just after the restart, a penalty allowed the home side to inch further in front with a penalty by Johnny McMurray making it 8-0. Virginia’s persistence finally paid off when, on an attacking lineout, one of their forwards was able to slip through from 20 meters out for the first try. Continuing to build on their momentum, the Cavaliers only needed 5 minutes to break the Deacons defense and find the try zone again to move ahead for an 8-10 lead. Wake refused to let up and was able to absorb Virginia’s attack in some high-pressure situations. Unfortunately, on a very loose ball, UVA’s backs were able to round the corner and display some quality skill work which led to their final try of the day and a successful conversion which extended their lead to 8-17. During final push in the closing minutes, the Deacons were able to narrow the gap as Johnny McMurray took a quick tap from 5 meters away and dive over for the home sides second try of the match. However, the conversion narrowed the defecit to 17-15 with under 10 minutes remaining. Wake pressured the UVA line repeatedly in the last minutes of play, but were unable to get the winning points. Looking ahead, UVA will enjoy a bye week to address their season opening mistakes while Wake Forest has a quick turn around for their Friday night match at Virginia Tech on September 20th.

Fall Season Underway, Hopes are High for New Look Deacon Squad

After two full weeks of testing, training and team building, the 2013-2014 Wake Forest Rugby season is finally underway! In a year that marks the 40th anniversary since the team’s origin, there are plenty of other reasons to celebrate. Catching the most attention this summer is the introduction of new head coach, Justin Goonan. Before firmly planting himself on campus, Coach Goonan welcomed new and returning faces into the squad with a preseason camp that included skills sessions, performance tests and team-building exercises. The extra time together before starting classes proved to be greatly beneficial as the players outlined their goals for the season as well as for the program. Also bringing excitement will be the new competition structure being introduced by the Atlantic Coast Rugby League. Beginning this fall, the conference will host the XV's competition in the fall, while reserving the spring as a strictly Sevens period. As the new Olympic sport gains more and more interest and support, Wake Forest, along with its other conference members, is very excited for the innovative competition structure and aims to compete very heavily in both seasons. Of course, even more exciting than the conference news is the new addition of the freshmen who are ready for their college rugby debut. In the forwards, Mark Bernstein (Greenwich High) and Tim Peterson (Fairfield Prep) have put their high school rivalry aside and are ready to team up to make an impact at the college level. Joining the young forwards are a class of backs that are ready to test their skills and pace with a veteran backline that returns 7 players with first-side experience. Mitch D'Eramo (Fairfield Prep), Austin Cunningham (Union County) and Miguel Abella (Phillipines U-19) are making a statement to earn their starting jersey and become a threat to opposing defenses. Wake Forest Rugby welcomes this class of freshmen as well as a number of other former high school athletes that have joined the team as newcomers to rugby. Yesterday, Wake Forest Rugby made its first step into the new era during a round robin scrimmage in Raleigh, NC hosted by NC State. Wake faced off against former NCRU D2 rival ECU and UNC-Wilmington, a familiar opponent from recent seasons. The first match up with ECU was a picture perfect start to the season highlighting some amazing skill and athleticism from senior players. With a final score of 47-5, multiple Deacons found their way into the try zone while the entire squad began to implement new attack and defense strategies that were introduced during preseason training. In the second runout of the day against UNC-W, many of the newcomers received their first taste of the speed and physicality of match-level rugby. Though the scoreline was not in the Deacons’ favor, the experience was still very productive and beneficial in giving new players the opportunity test their skill levels and understand the flow of an actual game. Now shifting its attention to the conference season opener this Saturday against the University of Virginia, the squad is focused on recovery and mentally concentrating on improving from yesterday's performance. The season home opener is scheduled to kick off at 2:00pm Saturday on campus at Poteat Field. All are welcome to come out and support the Demon Deacons!

A Note From Coach Goonan

Wake Forest Tabs Justin Goonan as New Head Coach

Goonan, center, was an assistant coach for the 2012 USA U-20 team

that captured the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy

 

Winston-Salem, NC-The Wake Forest University men's rugby team has hired Justin Goonan to be the team’s new head coach.  Goonan joins the Demon Deacons with an impressive resume, having played college rugby at Texas A&M and then in the US Rugby Super League with Old Blue and Boston. While in Boston, he served as an assistant coach with Boston College and in 2012 he was a member of the coaching staff for the USA U-20 men's team that won the IRB Junior Rugby World Trophy. For the last year, Coach Goonan has lived in London pursuing a Masters degree in Strength & Conditioning at the University of Greenwich and interning with the famed London Scottish.

Inheriting a team that struggled last spring, going winless in ACRL conference play, Coach Goonan is eager to build a successful program along with the large number of returning players in key positions.  Wake Forest Rugby Foundation President Andrew Gentles, who led the coaching search committee, had this to say: "We had dozens of solid candidates apply for the position, but Coach Goonan really stood out.  From our first interview with him I knew he was the right man for the job and I'm thrilled that he has accepted the challenge of leading Wake Forest rugby as we rebound from last year and continue to raise the level of the program."  For his part, Goonan said, "This is a fantastic opportunity to coach college rugby at a high level. Wake Forest University is very well known as an academic institution and their rugby program has a talented and committed group of returning players along with strong administrative and alumni support.  I'm looking forward to getting back to the States and plan to hit the ground running.  Right now, my focus in on learning more about the players and establishing a platform for our pre-season camp."

Goonan will be assisted by Trent Justice, who has been an assistant coach with the team since 2010 and will stay on in that capacity.  Former head coach Patrick Kane is also expected to remain with the program as an assistant.  Wake Forest begins the ACRL season on September 14 when they host the Virginia Cavaliers at Poteat Field.

Q&A with Pat Kane and Andrew Gentles on Grow Rugby

http://www.growrugby.com/2013/06/18/qa-about-wake-forest-coaching-position/

Wake Forest Seeking Head Coach

Wake Forest Men’s Rugby Seeking Head Coach

The Wake Forest Men’s Rugby team is looking to hire a Head Coach for the upcoming season.  Wake competes at the D1-AA level in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Rugby League and is seeking to establish itself as a premier undergraduate rugby destination in the Southeastern United States. In the past nine years Wake has rapidly ascended through the Division III and Division II ranks with a strictly volunteer coaching staff and hiring a paid Head Coach is an important next step in ensuring the team’s continued growth. 

Job Description:

Wake competes during both the Fall and Spring semesters. For the first time this year, the ACRL will be playing the 15s season in the Fall, while 7s will be played in the Spring. The Head Coach will be expected to commit to a work schedule during the competitive season that includes four practices per week and weekend matches.  The Head Coach will be expected to commit to a lesser schedule during school breaks, focusing mainly on recruiting and attending various events to further the team’s interests.

The Head Coach will be inheriting a group of highly talented and motivated rugby players, including several incoming freshmen with substantial rugby experience. The biggest challenges for the Head Coach will be growing and maintaining a sufficiently-sized roster through recruitment of high school players and athletes from within the general student population and ensuring the continued growth in financial resources provided by the school and other sponsors and donors.

In addition to coaching responsibilities, the Head Coach will need to handle administrative tasks, communicate with the appropriate rugby organizations (e.g. ACRL, USA Rugby), institute a formalized high school recruitment policy, coordinate with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation on team finances, scholarships and alumni outreach, act as a liaison to the Wake Forest Administration, manage the team budget and fundraising efforts, and most importantly, mentor players both on and off the field.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will exhibit the following experiences and skills:

·         Previous collegiate coaching and playing experience

·         Ability to teach players with varying levels of experience the fundamentals of rugby

·         Strong understanding of offensive and defensive strategy, set pieces and situational decision-making

·         Superior leadership and managerial skills

Compensation:

The Head Coach will receive a salary between $10,000 and $20,000, commensurate with experience. Health and other benefits will not be provided

For more information:

If you are interested in the position please send a resume and cover letter to:

Andrew Gentles, President, Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

Gentac1@gmail.com

 

About Wake Forest University

Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private educational institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has approximately 4,800 undergraduate students, the vast majority of which live on campus or in the immediate surrounding areas. Wake is a hotbed for collegiate athletics, and is the third smallest school competing in Division 1 FBS football. The school was ranked 27^th overall in U.S. News’ 2013 list of America’s Best Colleges and is known for its rigorous academic standards. Wake Forest boasts a vibrant Greek life and has one of the highest participation rates for study abroad programs in the country.

About the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

The Wake Forest Rugby Foundation was established in 2009 as a way to help further the proud tradition of Demon Deacon rugby both on and off the pitch. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Donations to the Foundation fund a portion of the team’s operational expenses, scholarships for current players as well as high school recruits, and alumni outreach efforts. In addition to financial support, the Foundation’s Officers, Board of Directors and active alumni participants provide ongoing support to current players and coaches in various capacities.

Watson, McMurray, McIntyre, and Zimmerman Get ACRL Honors

ACRL Press Release

2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League

All-Conference Teams and Award Winners Named

Naval Academy scrumhalf Ricky Neel-Feller is the 2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League Player of the Year, narrowly edging out his teammate and fellow halfback partner Jack McAuliffe.  Neel-Feller led the Midshipmen to an undefeated ACRL conference season and a trip to the semi-finals of the inaugural Varsity Cup National Collegiate Rugby Championship.

Clemson University took home the other two individual awards, as Tigers scrumhalf Ryan Gilroy was named Freshman of the Year honors and Tigers head coach Justin Hickey was unanimously voted the conference Coach of the Year.  This is the second consecutive year that a Clemson player was named Freshman of the Year, as Gilroy’s teammate Dan Collins took home the honors in 2012. 

Navy and Clemson, who finished first and second respectively in the conference, led all teams in All-Conference players.  Navy had an astounding eleven selections, including six first-teamers, while Clemson was close behind with nine players selected overall.

In keeping with its member schools’ emphasis on academics, the conference again named an All-Academic team.  To be considered for the All-Academic team, a player must have been a junior or senior who was a consistent varsity player and carried a cumulative GPA over 3.5 or better.

Finally, the ACRL is proud to announce the team that will be representing the conference on the field in the first ever ACRL-Big Ten All-Star Challenge.  The team will be coached by Clemson’s Justin Hickey and the match will take place on Friday, May 31 in Philadelphia at Drexel University as part of the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship.  Kickoff for the match (which will be rugby 15s) is scheduled for 5:30pm.  The squad is still not finalized, as the coaching staff is awaiting the potential availability of some players who are still in contention for spots on the CRC rosters of Navy, NC State, and Virginia Tech.  The team includes many All-Conference players, including a quartet of players who have been named to the past three ACRL All-Conference teams: Matias Cima, John Davis, and Keith Sneddon from Maryland and Johnny McMurray from Wake Forest.  

A full list of the 2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League All-Conference Teams and Award Winners is below.

2013 ACRL Player of the Year: Ricky Neel-Feller, USNA

2013 ACRL Freshman of the Year: Ryan Gilroy, Clemson

2013 ACRL Coach of the Year: Justin Hickey, Clemson

2013 All-ACRL First Team

Prop- Abe Harmon, NCSU

Prop- Darrien Green, USNA

Hooker- Dan Collins, Clemson

Lock- James Watson, Wake Forest

Lock- Jon Thornton, USNA

Loose Forward- Matt Fetty, Clemson

Loose Forward- Keith Sneddon, Maryland

Loose Forward- Andrew Stelletto, USNA

Loose Forward- Ben Shafer, Maryland

Forward- Matt Pace, NCSU

Scrumhalf- Ricky Neel-Feller, USNA

Flyhalf- Jack McAuliffe, USNA

Inside Center- Seamus Seifring, USNA

Outside Center- Justin Warzoha, Clemson

Wing- Matt Reilly, Maryland

Wing- Robbie Hemstreet, UVA

Fullback- Evan Burch, UVA

Back- Greg Hesler, NCSU

 

2013 All-ACRL Honorable Mention

Prop- Carl Katz, Virginia Tech

Prop- Max Simons, Clemson

Prop- Brett Weaver, Clemson

Prop- Eddie Youngs, NCSU

Hooker- Bill Whelan, Virginia Tech

Hooker- Matt Kelly, USNA

Lock- Michele Minichiello, Virginia Tech

Lock- Shaun Rich, Clemson

Lock- Matt Daniels, NCSU

Loose Forward- Spencer Wilson, USNA

Loose Forward- Martin Sexton, Virginia Tech

Forward- Keegan Downey, Maryland

Forward- Chris Rixey, USNA

Scumhalf- Ryan Gilroy, Clemson

Flyhalf- Matias Cima, Maryland

Inside Center- Ben Coburn, Clemson

Outside Center- Nick Hancock, USNA

Outside Center- Dan Hudgens, UNC

Wing-Ron Helms, USNA

Fullback- Stefan Friend, Clemson

Fullback- Johnny McMurray, Wake Forest

Back- John Davis, Maryland

 

2013 All-Academic Team

Liam McIntyre, Wake Forest

David Christian, Virginia Tech

Sam Gedeon, USNA

Tommy Evans, Clemson

Greg Hesler, NCSU

Drew Herpel, Maryland

2013 ACRL All-Star Team

Forwards: Brett Weaver, Clemson; Dan Collins, Clemson; Max Simons, Clemson; Bill Whelan, Virginia Tech; James Watson, Wake Forest; Michele Minichiello, Virginia Tech; Matt Fetty, Clemson; Ben Shafer, Maryland, Eric Higgins, Virginia Tech; Keith Sneddon, Maryland

Backs: Matias Cima, Maryland; Matt Reilly, Maryland; John Davis, Maryland; Ryan Gilroy, Clemson; Eddie Abreu, Clemson; Stefan Friend, Clemson; Johnny McMurray, Wake Forest; Jack Zimmerman, Wake Forest; Dylan Cunningham, UNC; Nick Johnson, Clemson; Justin Warzoha, Clemson

Head Coach: Justin Hickey, Clemson

Assistant Coach: Pat Kane, Wake Forest
Assistant Coach: Steve Laake, Maryland
Assistant Coach/Manager: Wright Henry, Clemson

Kane Steps Down as Coach

Kane is stepping down to focus on developing the next generation of Wake ruggers.

After nine years at the helm of the Wake Forest Men's Rugby team, Pat Kane has stepped down as the head coach, citing team needs as well as his own career and family obligations. Pat will remain involved with the team and will work closely with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation and the school to identify sources of funding that will allow the team to bring on a full time coach, a move that is necessary for Wake to continue competing at the Division I level.

Pat took over the reins in 2004 as a Wake Forest law student. The team was in relative shambles, struggling to compete at the Division III level with a bare bones roster and few resources. In his first season Pat began to overhaul the team, instituting measures for player accountability, improving recruitment efforts, soliciting better resources from the school, and adding structure to the practice and game schedules. Pat's extensive knowledge of the game drastically improved Wake's offensive style, team defense and set pieces. In just a few short years Wake became a force in Division III rugby and was ready to move up to the Division II level. In 2008 Wake made it to the South Finals and finished the season as the #22 Division II team in the country. After the 2009 season, Wake joined the Carolinas Rugby League, a combination of Division I and II teams located in North and South Carolina. Following the 2010 season the Carolinas Rugby League was disbanded, and Pat led the effort to create the Division I-AA Atlantic Coast Rugby League, where he currently serves as league commissioner.

Beyond the on the field success, Pat successfully professionalized the team and improved its stature on campus and with Wake's administration. The current team is outfitted in top of the line gear and apparel, holds fitness practices twice a week on top of the normal practice schedule, has formalized high school recruiting, and boasts some of the top students on campus. It is a far cry from the team Pat inherited back in 2004, and despite this year's struggles, the team is well poised for the future.

On a more personal level, Pat has played a massively positive role in my development as a rugby player and more importantly, as a man. I think I can speak for all of Pat's players when I say that disappointing Pat Kane was one of the worst feelings you could have and making him proud was certainly one of the best. It is easy to get pulled astray as a college undergrad - you are surrounded by temptations and, for the first time, fully responsible for yourself. There is a reason that so many Wake Rugby alums have gone on to successful professional and personal lives after graduation - the team kept you accountable for your actions and instilled in you a work ethic that most other students simply did not have. Pat molded that team and support system. He has personally helped players through difficult personal situations as well as shared in some of their most joyous moments. Pat is the type of person you can't wait to introduce to your parents despite the fact you are terrified of what he might say to them. His ability to connect with all of us on a personal level set him apart from other coaches. While Pat's on and off the field leadership will be sorely missed, he has put in place the foundation Wake Rugby will need for continued success.

I would be remiss if I did not pass along a special thank you to Pat's family, his wife Melynda and their two children, Molly and Michael. They have become as much a part of the team as anyone, traveling long distances to cheer on the team and, more importantly, putting up with the huge time burden that is Wake Rugby. Despite a chaotic work schedule as an attorney, Pat has spent the majority of his coaching career commuting between Greensboro and Winston-Salem for practices. He has sacrificed countless weekends for games and spends hours every week on administrative responsibilities. On behalf of all Wake Rugby players, past and present, I would like to say thank you to Pat and his family for the sacrifices they have made for the betterment of the team.

Mike Duffy, '10
VP of Communications
Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

Wake Suffering Through Difficult Rebuilding Stretch

Wake Forest is in the midst of weathering perhaps the toughest stretch of rugby it has seen in the last decade, and certainly the most difficult it has seen since moving to Division 1 in 2011. After being blanked 100-0 by Navy on March 2, the Deacs have suffered three straight lopsided losses, falling 72-17 to Maryland, 86-15 to NC State, and 55-14 to Virginia.  While in each instance it could be argued that the match was closer than the score indicated, the undeniable fact is that Wake is simply not executing well on either offense or defense. The team has clearly been hamstrung by injuries to key players Rob Elmore, Ryan Tacon and Wes Bloomer, all of whom were lost for the season before ACRL play began, and James Watson and Tim Zage who have been battling injuries for weeks and may now be shelved for the remainer of the year.   Adding to the team's depth problems has been the dismissal of several players in the past weeks for violation of team rules. Also evident is that the squad is still adjusting to the fact that the players are now essentially coaching themselves, as long time volunteer head coach Patrick Kane has been unavailable for most of this season due to professional commitments. So while the team understands that this season has become one of survival and rebuilding, the results on the scoreboard have nevertheless been tough to swallow.  That is not to say that the past three games have been devoid of anything positive. To the contrary, there have been bright spots in every game and at times the Deacons have played some good rugby. But more often than not they have found themselves on the back foot and defending for long periods and struggling to piece together offensive phases. Next week the Deacs will host Clemson.  The Tigers have established themselves as the cream of the ACRL and it will undoubtedly be another difficult challenge for Wake. But the team is committed to improving each week and with every player from this season's squad returning next year, there is optimism that there are better times ahead.

Lineup vs Maryland (3/9)

1. Wohlmuth (Dormer)
2. Estes
3. Decaminada
4. Watson
5. Gutowski (Shumaker)
6. Drewery
7. Zage (Hume)
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan
12. Zimmerman
13. Kavalec
14. Murphy (Mehrmann, Goldman)
15. Kinzer

Tries: McIntyre, Watson, Zimmerman

Lineup vs NC State (3/23)

1. Wohlmuth (Dormer)
2. Estes
3. Decaminada
4. Gutowski (Horne)
5. Watson
6. Murphy
7. Zage (McCurdy)
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan (Turchin)
12. Zimmerman
13. McGuiggan (Kavalec)
14. Kinzer
15. McMurray

Tries: Duncan, Watson, Zimmerman
Conversions: McMurray

Lineup vs Virginia

1. Hodges (Dormer)
2. Ryan (McCurdy)
3. Decaminada (Wohlmuth)
4. Horne
5. Gutowski
6. Murphy
7. Estes
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan (Goldman)
12. Zimmerman
13. McGuiggan (Passarelli, Turchin)
14. Kinzer
15. McMurray

Tries: Gutowski, Zimmerman
Conversions: McMurray (2)

Demon Deacons Get Torpedoed by Navy

Wake Forest made its first trip to Annapolis, Md this weekend to take on new ACRL member the United States Naval Academy. The Deacs knew they were going to be in for an uphill battle, and the result was never in doubt as the Midshipmen scored 16 tries on the day to come away with a 100-0 victory.

While the score would indicate one way traffic the entire day, that was not always the case. In both halves Wake Forest spent considerable time attacking inside the Navy third of the field, and were simply unable to penetrate to Midshipmen's defense to get any points on the board. Wake was undone on numerous occasions by an inability to execute in the lineout, and as a result were unable to take advantage of Navy penalties and create good attacking platforms in Midshipmen territory.

Coach Kane had plenty to say after the game. "Ordinarily my opinion is that a 100-0 scoreline is of no benefit to either team. However, I've been lucky enough not to have been on either side of a score like that many times in my coaching career and I would say that both Wake Forest and Navy got significant benefit out of this game. For us, it was on oppurtunity to front up against an incredibly physical and well-drilled team and work on our defensive structure. Our tackling was for the most part very good and Navy's tries weren't coming on first phase where they simply broke a tackle and were off to the races. Instead, they had to play 4, 5, 6 phases at a time to set up overloads that they subsequently took advantage of. Credit to them for playing at a speed and with a cohesiveness that we have never seen in the ACRL, but we made them work for everything they got. And I think that ultimately will benefit Navy as well. They were forced to execute their pattern of play and create tries through good, organized rugby. Of course, they also scored a few easy tries when we made mistakes and they turned them around the other way, but I'm proud of my guys for attempting at times to play some enterprising rugby when we could have just tried to pack it in and waste time keeping the ball in tight and keep the score closer. We learned quickly, though, how against a team like Navy, a miscue in the backline is an automatic 7 points the other way. Overall I think this was a great experience for our team, and if there can be such a thing as a "good" 100 point loss, this was it. We brought Navy into the conference knowing that there would be some scores like this at the outset, but we are absolutely a better team for having had this experience."

The trip to Annapolis was also an opportunity for many of the Wake players to play in front of their family and alums, as a large contingent of the Demon Deacon squad is from the DC/Maryland area. "I think this was probably the bigest group of supporters we've ever had at one of our away games," said Coach Kane. "The parental and alumni support was great and combined with the hospitality of Navy, the post-game tailgate atmosphere was great. We probably all could have done without the snow flurries and 30 degree temperatures, but that's par for the course this season. It was also awesome to see the Navy rugby facilities and the support they get from their school. Something for all of us in the ACRL to strive towards."

Wake saw some solid performances from some young players who were thrown into the fire on Saturday, including freshmen prop Joe Decaminada, sophomore flanker Conor Murphy, and junior hooker Dwain Hodges, all of whom were playing in only their second ever rugby game.

Wake will next be in action against Maryland this weekend at Poteat Field. Kickoff is tentatively scheduled for 2pm.

Wake Forest Lineup for Navy: 1. Max Wohlmuth, So. (Iain Dormer, So. @ 50) 2. Andrew Estes, Jr. (Dwain Hodges, Jr. @ 65) 3. Joe Decaminada, Fr. 4. Christian Gutowski, So. (Matt McMcurdy, Jr. @ 55) 5. James Watson, Jr. 6. Tim Zage, Jr. 7. Conor Murphy, So. 8. Liam McIntyre, Jr. (Drew Turchin, So. @ 70) 9. Bryce Lambert, Jr. 10. Rob Kelly, Sr. 11. Franco Cima, Jr. (Pierre Duncan, Fr. @ 70) 12. Jack Zimmerman, Jr. 13. Ted McGuiggan, So. (Jim Kavalec, Sr. @ 55) 14. Tommy Kinzer, So. 15. Johnny McMurray, Sr.

YC: Murphy at 39'

Pittsburgh Game Cancelled

Like many other games across the southeast over the last two weekends, Wake Forest's non-conference clash with Keystone Conference regular season champions Pittsburgh scheduled for Sunday has had to be cancelled because of inclement weather and poor field conditions. The game is not expected to be made up. The Demon Deacons now turn their attention to next week's ACRL matchup with league-leading Navy.

Deja Vu for Deacs in Chapel Hill

Wake Forest lost 17-7 to University of North Carolina, marking the second year in a row the team lost a winnable game on the road in Chapel Hill to open the ACRL season. The Demon Deacons were inconsistent in the set piece, often looking strong in the scrum yet at other times getting pushed around by the Tar Heels. The line out was a similar story, as Wake Forest struggled in an area where they have typically been dominant. Despite these issues, Wake dominated the opening minutes of the game, hammering away with their forwards for prolonged periods in the Tar Hell half. But the backline was not able to sync up with the forwards and eventually turnovers led to UNC touching down under the posts for a 7-0 lead. Moments later the lead was extended to 12-0 when the Tar Heel scrumhalf faked taking the ball out of the scrum and as the Wake defense focused on the halfback as he ran laterally across the field, the ball actually remained in the scrum and the #8 popped it to a looping Tar Heel back who fed the wing to touch down in the corner. Wake struck back immediately, as an easily won line out allowed flanker Tim Zage to break through the midfield defense for a 60m try. Fullback Johnny McMurray nailed the conversion to bring the score to 12-7. Bolstered by the try, Wake dominated possession for the remained of the half and appeared to have the momentum entering the break.

The snow came down hard during halftime, and when the game resumed, the lines on the field were no longer visible and footing was treacherous. Wake was unable to get into its offensive pattern and UNC held the majority of possession and territory. Another try in the corner extended the UNC lead to 17-7. The snowy conditions were not conducive to clean ball-handling and the game deteriorated into a series of knock ons, scrums, and a lot of open field kicking. Wake had an opportunity to narrow the deficit when the were awarded a penalty in the UNC half, but McMurrays's attempt at goal sailed wide. With time winding down Wake pressed to find some offense, but nothing was working and the final whistle blew with UNC still holding their 10 point lead.

Wake falls to 0-1 in league play and will face an uphill battle as their next two conference games are against Navy and Maryland. Navy made a statement today in its first ever ACRL game, defeating NC State 55-0 in Annapolis, while Maryland is the two-time defending ACRL champion. Next weekend, however, Wake will have an opportunity to tighten up their play as they host the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday at noon on Poteat Field. Wake may be without the services of All-ACRL lock Christian Gutowski, who suffered a knee injury in the closing moments of the loss to the Tar Heels. 

Lineup vs UNC 1. Iain Dormer, So. (Max Wohlmuth, So. @53) 2. Andrew Estes, Jr. 3. Joe Decaminada, Fr. (Cameron Hume, So. @53) 4. Christian Gutowski, So. (Drew Turchin, So. @72) 5. James Watson, Jr. 6. Tim Zage, Jr. 7. Matt McCurdy, Jr. (Jaime Drewery @53) 8. Liam McIntyre, Jr. 9. Bryce Lambert, Jr. 10. Rob Kelly, Sr. 11. Franco Cima, Jr. 12. Jack Zimmerman, Jr. 13. Tommy Kinzer, So. 14. Conor Murphy, So. (Ted McGuiggan @40) 15. Johnny McMurray, Sr.

 Tries: Zage
Cons: McMurray

Deacs Picked to Finish Near Bottom of the ACRL

http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2013/02/2013-atlantic-coast-rugby-league-preview.html

Wake Forest Back on Field in Scrimmage with UNC-Wilmington

Wake Forest played Rugby 15s today for the first time since a season-ending win over Virginia Tech last April, taking on UNC-Wilmington in a controlled scrimmage at Poteat Field.  The Seahawks are one of the top D2 teams in the nation and provided tremendous opposition as the Demon Deacons sought to shake of the rust and prepare for their upcoming ACRL opener against University of North Carolina in 2 weeks.

UNC-W certainly looked to be the more polished of the two teams on the field today, showing cohesion that they had built during a full fall season of exhibition 15s.  Wake Forest meanwhile, without the services of two-time ACRL All-Conference players Johnny McMurray and Ryan Tacon, and featuring a completely new front row from last year's 15s squad, struggled to compete in the scrum and had very little continuity on offense.  However by day's end, the Deacs had shown considerable improvement and had identified the areas where the most work is needed over the next two weeks.

"That's why we arranged this scrimmage, to get a lot of live reps against a good opponent," said head coach Patrick Kane.  "I thought the format was great for us and we really appreciate UNC-W traveling up here to play.  I hope they were able to get as much positive out of the day as we were.  They are a well-coached bunch and are going to be very difficult to beat once they start their regular season in the Southern Conference."

While the day was mostly positive for Wake Forest, the optimism was tempered by a broken collarbone suffered by senior Wes Bloomer in the first 10 minutes of play.  Bloomer, who was coming of a tremendous 7s season in the fall, was expected to be one of Wake's most potent backline players on both offense and defense.  Now it appears he is lost for the season and will finish his Wake rugby career on the sidelines.  "Wes's injury was just one of those things that happen in a contact sport.  The play was rather routine, he just got tackled and went down wrong.  The whole team is disappointed for him because he has worked really hard to turn himself into a great rugby player," said Kane.  "But Wes has a great attitude and before the scrimmage was even over, he was talking to me about ways he could still contribute to the team this season."

Losing Bloomer will be a big blow to a Deacon squad that was already lacking depth, but some new players took the field for the first time today and showed significant promise.  Junior Dwain Hodges, sophomores Conor Murphy and Drew Turchin, and freshmen Joe DeCaminada and Johnny Passarelli all played their first ever rugby game and looked more like veterans than newcomers, with Murphy even dotting down one of the few tries Wake Forest managed on the day.

In all 25 players donned the Wake jersey during the scrimmage.  The team will now turn its focus towards the Tar Heels and will be looking to avenge a stinging 29-17 loss in last year's ACRL opener.

Wake players vs UNC-W today:

Rob Kelly, Sr.
Jim Kavalec, Sr.
Wes Bloomer, Sr.
Ty Pierce, Sr.
Jack Zimmerman, Jr. (Capt.)
James Watson, Jr.
Tim Zage, Jr.
Jaime Drewery, Jr.
Bryce Lambert, Jr.
Liam McIntyre, Jr.
Andrew Estes, Jr.
Dwain Hodges, Jr.
Franco Cima, Jr.
Christian Gutowski, So.
Cameron Hume, So.
Drew Turchin, So.
Conor Murphy, So.
Scott Goldman, So.
Max Wohlmuth, So.
Tommy Kinzer, So.
Garrett Johns, So.
Iain Dormer, So.
Erik Pedrow, Fr.
Johnny Passarelli, Fr.
Joe Decaminada, Fr.

Tries: Watson, Murphy, Kelly, Zimmerman

Unavailable due to Injury: Ryan Tacon, Johnny McMurray, Pierre Duncan, Matt McCurdy, Ted McGuiggan

Team previewed in Old Gold and Black

http://oldgoldandblack.com/?p=27570

Wake Forest Rugby-1987 Team

Photo courtesy of Robert Welton

Wake Rugby 2013 Official Spring Schedule Released

Wake Forest will be looking for a breakout season from sophomore Garrett Johns (right) 

to replace some of the defensive standouts that graduated from last year's squad.

The Wake Forest men's rugby team, coming off a solid fall 7s season, has finalized its spring 15s schedule. In addition to a full slate of ACRL conference games, the Demon Deacons will also have a preseason scrimmage with UNC-Wilmington and an exhibition game with the University of Pittburgh, winners of the D1-AA Keystone Conference. Wake will open ACRL play on February 16 at Chapel Hill against the University of North Carolina. This is a repeat of the Deacs conference opener last season, when they fell to the Tar Heels in a game that they felt they should have won and the team will be looking to even the score. The schedule is highlighted by a trip to Annapolis on March 2 to play new ACRL conference member Navy, followed by a pivotal home date with two time defending ACRL champion Maryland on March 9.

Full Spring 2013 Schedule

1/17: Practice Begins
2/2: UNC-Wilmington (scrimmage)
2/9: BYE
2/16: @ University North Carolina*
2/23: University of Pittsburgh (exhibition)
3/2: @ United States Naval Academy*
3/9: University of Maryland*
3/16: BYE
3/23: North Carolina State*
3/30: @ Virginia Tech*
4/6: @ University of Virginia*
4/13: Clemson University*

* Atlantic Coast Rugby League Game